MisterGo - Transitions

Transition Words and Phrases (word doc)
(from Teacher Vision - bit.ly/mrgotran )

"Good transitions can connect paragraphs and turn disconnected writing into a unified whole. Instead of treating paragraphs as separate ideas, transitions can help readers understand how paragraphs work together, reference one another, and build to a larger point. The key to producing good transitions is highlighting connections between corresponding paragraphs. By referencing in one paragraph the relevant material from previous paragraphs, writers can develop important points for their readers.

It is a good idea to continue one paragraph where another leaves off. (Instances where this is especially challenging may suggest that the paragraphs don't belong together at all.) Picking up key phrases from the previous paragraph and highlighting them in the next can create an obvious progression for readers. Many times, it only takes a few words to draw these connections. Instead of writing transitions that could connect any paragraph to any other paragraph, write a transition that could only connect one specific paragraph to another specific paragraph." (OWL @Purdue)

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/574/01/

Use the following words judiciously

To indicate more information: Besides Furthermore In addition Indeed In fact Moreover AVOID Second...Third..., etc.	To indicate an example: For instance In particular Particularly Specifically To demonstrate To illustrate
To indicate a cause or reason: As Because Because of For For the reason that Since	To indicate a result or an effect: Accordingly Finally Consequently Hence So Therefore Thus
To indicate a purpose or reason why: For fear that In the hope that In order to So So that With this in mind	To compare or contrast: Although However In comparison In contrast Likewise Nevertheless On the other hand Similarly Whereas Yet
To indicate a particular time frame or a shift from one time period to another:
After Before Currently During Eventually Finally AVOID First,...Second,..., etc. Formerly Immediately	Initially Lastly Later Meanwhile Next Previously Simultaneously Soon Subsequently
To summarize: Briefly In brief Overall Summing up To put it briefly AVOID To sum up AVOID To summarize	To conclude: Ultimately, Given these facts AVOID Hence AVOID In conclusion So Use "Therefore" judiciously Thus AVOID To conclude